Hospital Visit to Kim at IU

[Guest guest]

I wanted to share that I was able to go to IU and visit Kim and her husband

last week. They are a very nice couple. My heart goes out to them. It is so

difficult to be in the hospital away from home. I am happy to say that she is

actually admitted under one of the best surgeons at IU, , MD.

[Dr. has spoken at the Symposium on several occasions. He was also

instrumental in conducting research on the benefits of prayer and CAM

(alternative

medicine).] She isn't planning surgery, it is just standard for pancreatitis

patients in an acute state to be admitted to surgery instead of GI services.

Dr. Lehman has been the attending pancreatologist / GI. Though she looked

very tired, she looked relatively well. She was still receiving tube feedings,

IV fluids, IV antibiotics, and IV pain medication. At this time, she isn''t

planning on getting involved with the PAI as she hopes this is purely an acute

episode and does not anticipate any further problems or the development of

chronic pancreatitis. I misunderstood and thought she did have chronic

pancreatitis. She actually only had one acute pancreatitis attack. She had gone

in

for a follow up ERCP to make sure there was no residual damage.

For anyone else who may go visit she is on 5725 5 South, not 5 West.

Hopefully she will be able to return home soon, though.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana

[Guest guest]

I wanted to share that I was able to go to IU and visit Kim and her

husband last week. They are a very nice couple. My heart goes out to

them. It is so difficult to be in the hospital away from home<<<<<<<<<.

Karyn, Thank-you so much!! I just spoke with her today, and she was

touched that you took the time to visit her. She sounds pretty weak,

and says she feels " lousy. " It looks like her abdominal incision will

have to heal from the inside out, and there is still fluid around her

kidney. She said if you are around the hospital again to please stop

and visit and maybe she will be able to interact a little more!!! I

think that she does want to become a member of PAI once she is well, I

told her she too can help others when she is well. But as you know,

when you feel so sick it seems like nothing will ever be better.

Your visit was very much appreciated by me, Kim, and her husband Mike.

Hopefully Kim will be going home soon.......

Take Care,

Debbie, in CA.